India Slams Yunus Over ‘Landlocked Northeast’ Claim, Accuses Him Of Pushing Chinese Debt Trap Diplomacy.
India has strongly refuted Bangladesh interim leader Mohammad Yunus’s claim that the country’s northeastern states are landlocked and dependent on Bangladesh as their “guardian” for ocean access. Top government sources described the statement as factually incorrect and accused Yunus of promoting Chinese expansionism, demanding a retraction of his remarks made during a recent visit to China.
The row erupted after Yunus, addressing Chinese officials, said, “Seven states of India in the east is a landlocked country…landlocked region of India. They have no way to open up to the ocean. Bangladesh is the only guardian of the ocean.” He pitched Bangladesh as a gateway for China’s economic expansion in the region.
India swiftly rejected this narrative, with sources asserting that the northeastern states are fully integrated into the country’s connectivity network, supported by a vast coastline and major ports.
“The seven northeastern states are integral parts of India with access through legally binding treaties with Bangladesh,” government sources told. They emphasized that India’s northeast is not isolated but interconnected, dismissing Yunus’s portrayal as misleading.
Sources further alleged that Yunus’s statement aligns with China’s strategic interests, accusing him of undermining India’s sovereignty and bilateral agreements on trade and transit routes.
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Yunus’s remarks came during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where he sought deeper economic ties. He requested China to relocate manufacturing industries to Bangladesh, reduce loan interest rates from 3% to 1-2%, and waive commitment fees for Chinese-funded projects.
Bangladesh, already indebted to China for $4 billion—part of a broader $7.5 billion loan portfolio—also acknowledged China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), signaling closer alignment with Beijing.
Sources highlighted Bangladesh’s reliance on Chinese loans, drawing parallels with Sri Lanka’s debt crisis, which was exacerbated by Chinese investments since 2019. Projects like the Chinese-funded Payra Port, backed by 70% loans, underline Bangladesh’s growing financial ties with Beijing.
“Yunus’s advocacy for Chinese monopolies over regional connectivity contradicts Bangladesh’s non-alignment stance,” the sources said, warning of a potential debt trap.
India maintains that it is fully capable of developing and connecting its northeastern states without external dependence. “This statement serves the strategic objectives of other countries,” sources added, pointing to China’s intent to expand influence in South Asia.
Intelligence reports suggest China sees Bangladesh’s location as key to countering India, using loans and investments to deepen economic reliance.
The sources noted that China’s support for Bangladesh aligns with its debt diplomacy strategy, binding nations into long-term partnerships. By offloading manufacturing to Bangladesh, China aims to cut costs while maintaining control over supply chains.
This move also enhances Beijing’s technological and industrial footprint in South Asia, raising concerns for India’s security interests in the region.
India has called for Yunus to retract his statement, signaling potential diplomatic tensions. As Bangladesh leans closer to China, the implications for India-Bangladesh relations remain under scrutiny, with experts anticipating further discussions on regional connectivity and sovereignty.
